Network Engineer - SME

accenturefederalservices; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 106,000 - 221,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Job summary

Accenture Federal Services is seeking a Network Engineer (SME) to design, implement, and optimize secure network infrastructures supporting mission-critical operations across multiple enclaves.

You will champion zero-trust architectures, establish governance standards, and collaborate with security, architecture, and operations teams to maintain resilient communications in classified environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required and 10+ years designing enterprise networks.
• Strong expertise in routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, and access control.
• Experience implementing zero-trust architectures and secure communications.
• Advanced troubleshooting and performance analysis in mission-critical environments.
• Experience supporting highly secure or regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement enterprise network architectures for secure, mission-critical operations.
• Lead zero-trust design initiatives and cross-enclave interoperability solutions.
• Optimize network performance, reliability, and security across complex environments.
• Establish and enforce network security standards and governance processes.
• Drive modernization efforts aligned with enterprise strategy and zero-trust principles.
• Ensure secure communications across classified environments and collaborate with security teams.

Skills

Routing & Switching

Firewalls

VPNs

Zero-trust

Network security

Access control

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

At Accenture Federal Services, nothing matters more than helping the US federal government make the nation stronger and safer and life better for people. Our 13,000+ people are united in a shared purpose to pursue the limitless potential of technology and ingenuity for clients across defense, national security, public safety, civilian, and military health organizations.

Join Accenture Federal Services, a technology company within global Accenture. Recognized as a Glassdoor Top 100 Best Place to Work, we offer a collaborative and caring community where you feel like you belong and are empowered to grow, learn and thrive through hands‑on experience, certifications, industry training and more.

Join us to drive positive, lasting change that moves missions and the government forward!

Who you are:

The Network Engineer (SME) serves as the principal authority for network architecture, zero‑trust network design, and cross‑enclave interoperability. This role leads the design, implementation, and optimization of resilient, secure network infrastructures supporting mission‑critical operations. The SME provides strategic and technical leadership in network modernization, security architecture, and performance optimization while ensuring secure and reliable communications across complex, multi‑enclave environments.

What you do:

• Design and implement enterprise network architectures that support secure, mission‑critical operations.
• Lead zero‑trust network design initiatives and cross‑enclave interoperability solutions.
• Optimize network performance, reliability, and security across complex, multi‑enclave environments.
• Establish and enforce network security architecture standards and governance processes.
• Drive network modernization efforts aligned with enterprise strategy and zero‑trust principles.
• Ensure secure communications and connectivity across classified and highly regulated environments.
• Provide technical leadership for network infrastructure planning and implementation.
• Partner with security, architecture, and operations teams to maintain resilient network systems.

What you need:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 10 years of experience designing and supporting enterprise network environments.
• Strong expertise in routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, network security, and access control technologies.
• Experience implementing zero‑trust architectures and secure communications solutions.
• Advanced troubleshooting and network performance analysis skills.
• Experience supporting mission‑critical, highly secure, or regulated environments.
• Strong leadership, communication, and technical documentation skills.

Nice to have:

• Master's degree in Information Technology, Network Engineering, Cybersecurity, or related field.
• Experience supporting federal, defense, intelligence, or classified network environments.
• Expertise with multi‑enclave or cross‑domain network architectures.
• Experience with cloud networking, software‑defined networking (SDN), and hybrid cloud environments.
• Knowledge of security accreditation processes and compliance frameworks.
• Relevant certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, CISSP, JNCIP, JNCIE, AWS Advanced Networking, or equivalent.

Security Clearance:

Active Top Secret, TS/SCI, or TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance required, depending on position

As required by local law, Accenture Federal Services provides reasonable ranges of compensation for hired roles based on labor costs in the states of California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia, and the city of Cleveland . The base pay range for this position in these locations is shown below. Compensation for roles at Accenture Federal Services varies depending on a wide array of factors, including but not limited to office location, role, skill set, and level of experience. Accenture Federal Services offers a wide variety of benefits. You can find more information on benefits here. We accept applications on an on‑going basis and there is no fixed deadline to apply.

$106,300 - $221,100 USD

What We Believe

As a company wholly dedicated to serving the US federal government, we bring together the best talent to help reinvent how federal agencies operate and deliver greater value for their mission and the American people. We have an unwavering commitment to creating a culture in which all our people are respected, feel a sense of belonging, and have equal opportunity. As a business imperative, every person at Accenture Federal Services has the responsibility to create and sustain a culture where everyone feels welcomed and included. This is grounded in our core values and our experience that hiring a